Fantasy Hockey: Player Rankings

I’m not too sure what to expect this year from the NHL. In a short season, one bad week could spell doom for some of the borderline playoff teams. This means players are going to have a lot of pressure on them to perform at a high level from game one. In a 48-game season all injuries, hot streaks and cold streaks are going to be amplified twofold.

I love Hockey but I rarely have the time to keep up with all the players the way I do with baseball and football. I normally only play in one Fantasy Hockey league each year and it’s usually in a random public league. This season I was asked to join a “Writer’s League” where I could compete with others in the industry. It’s an 18-team, 36 round draft that took about three months to complete. I’m happy I can finally put my knowledge (and luck) to the test. Here’s a quick recap of my draft.

For those of you out there that are going to play Fantasy Hockey this year, here’s a look at my Top 20′s for the 2013 season.

I have Malkin number one for two reasons; he’s great and aggressive. He’s found a way to put up 527 points in 427 career games. As for Stamkos, he’s finished 1st or 2nd in the NHL in goals scored every year since the 2008-2009 season. You can’t go wrong with either Stamkos or Malkin at #1. Then there’s Crosby, if it wasn’t for his injury concerns he’d be #1 by a wide margin. I have no issue taking any of my Top 4, first overall in Fantasy Drafts this year.

I have high hopes for the kid in St. Louis. No, it’s not because we share the same first name. It’s because Pietrangelo was able to put up back-to-back seasons with at least 11 goals and 32 assists. In his first full Rookie season he ended up scoring the 20th most points (43) in the NHL as a Defensemen. Last season, his Sophomore year, he was 10th in the league in points (51) among Defensemen. He turns 23 years old on January 18th.

What are the Canucks going to do with Roberto Luongo? I’ve heard rumblings of him going to the Leafs, Panthers and, most recently, the Flyers. If he stays, he’ll get the benefit of playing behind the 5th best offense in the game. Cory Schneider will be on his heels this season as he looks ready to take over full time in the crease entering his 5th year in the league.

Carey Price and the Canadiens had 12 shootout losses and 16 overtime losses last year. If the team could get a little lucky and exchange some of those losses for a few more wins, Price could be a steal in Fantasy Drafts. This is a big season for Price as he is trying to prove himself reliable between the pipes. He’s only had one season (out of five years in the league) with a GAA under 2.43.

The biggest sleeper?

Vladimir Tarasenko STL RW
This guy is a Superstar in the making.

If you have any Fantasy Hockey questions post them on this article and I will do my best to answer them.